If you or a member of your family should become physically disabled, how "user-friendly" would your home be? How accessible is your home? When making home improvements, are you thinking ahead to your "twilight years"? Accessible design and construction is becoming increasingly important to American homeowners, as longevity increases.

The United States Census Bureau estimates that by 2030 one in five Americans will be 65 years of age or older. What those statistics translate to on the home renovation front is that without proper planning many homeowners may end up being faced with frustration and safety concerns in their own homes as their mobility and vision deteriorates.

If you’re currently remodeling, or just starting to think about a remodeling project, consider potential long-term needs so that you can benefit in the future.

By following universal design principles in your planning, you will be prepared — and can rest assured your home is safe for your family members and guests.

Universal design techniques make a home more accessible, useable and safe for everyone — not just those dealing with disability. The idea behind the universal design philosophy is to maintain a home’s beauty and integrity, while making it barrier-free for all.

Some features are more obvious, such as wider doorways for wheelchair accessibility, and grab bars by the toilet and bathtub. Other features are more subtle, such as smooth transitions between various types of flooring, or front controls on the cooking range.

When viewed as a whole, however, it becomes apparent that simply incorporating universal design principles will make your home more efficient and safer for everybody who spends time there.

Consider incorporating the following in your remodeling plans:

General

	lever door handles and faucets
	put skid-proof rug pads under all rugs
	place electrical switches, outlets and thermostats at a height that is easy to reach
	widen doorways and ensure the threshold allows a smooth transition between rooms
	hard surface or low-pile carpeting
	improved lighting throughout the home
	a ramp or earthen berm leading up to the home’s entrance to eliminate the need for stairs
	replace standard door hinges with swing-clear hinges, or if the space is too tight to allow use a pocket door instead
	locate a bedroom and bathroom on the main level of the house

Kitchen

	knee space at the sink
	adjustable counter height for both kitchen and bathroom
	rollout carts under counters to increase storage and provide knee space when necessary
	continuous countertops to ease maneuvering of heavy dishes
	side-by-side refrigerator/freezer
	a separate wall oven at counter height and cook top with knee space available below
	use front-mounted controls on the cook top (for homes with small children make sure there is the added safety feature that the knob must be pushed in before turning)
	sliding shelves, or a lazy susan in corner cabinets, for easier access to items stored in cabinets
	narrow storage racks on cabinet doors

Bathroom

	shower stall with a wide doorway to accommodate roll-in access (some units come equipped with grab bars and fold-down seat) and hand-held, adjustable showerhead
	lower the bathroom mirror

Laundry

a front-loading washing machine

Storage

	easy swing doors with pull-out shelves for hanging clothes
	pull-out wire racks for storage of small items

It just takes a few small changes to make your home more accessible for all. You can be sure you’ll be thankful you took the time now to anticipate future needs.